The most badass, big-air Kiteboarding contest in the world returns. It’s is all about the amplitude as contestants go head-to-head in a “flag out” competition format. During the two week weather window riders will only face-off in the perfect conditions – when the legendary Cape Doctor is at its epic best, punching out consistent wind speeds of over 30 knots and providing the perfect swell from which to boost some extreme manoeuvres.

It’s more than big boosting that riders need to pull off. Style, technique and no small amount of fearlessness all play an integral part in scoring high, and it’s up to our hawk-eyed judges to accurately spot the differences between the manoeuvres taking place on the water. Prepare for some epic riding for contestants.

Lewis Crathern (UK)
Going to Straps more variation I think.
10m Rebel, I can take that thing in pretty much anything Cape Town can deal (unless it goes way over 40) on 25m lines its nuts.
Board 132 Xride

Steven Akkersdijk (NL)
I'm riding 20m lines as always on the CORE GTS4. Depending on the wind a 10m 9m or 8m.
The board is a Carved Tantrum with straps. Size 142x42

Lasse Walker (NL)
This year I will maybe ride the Dice if the wind is lighter, if it’s super strong I prefer the Vegas. Sizes between from 8 to 10 meter and 22 meter lines.
Again if the wind is super strong I prefer to ride boots because it gives me more control, if it’s below 40 knots I will ride straps to be able to do more tricks!

Oswald Smith (RSA)
boots

Reno Romeu (BRA)
I still don’t know yet, will bring few set ups to Cape Town and try out there before the comp.
boots

Yes, interesting gear choices. Like Lewis Crathern using completely freeride equipment. All the pictures you see by Kevin right now he is on the Pivot instead of the Torch. Maybe it‘s marketing maybe not. On the wave side there seem to be a number of models which jump quite well at least in the smaller sizes. I read about that for the SST in a German forum and I am personally pleasantly surprised by my Naish Slash which does exactly that.

Yes, interesting gear choices. Like Lewis Crathern using completely freeride equipment. All the pictures you see by Kevin right now he is on the Pivot instead of the Torch. Maybe it‘s marketing maybe not. On the wave side there seem to be a number of models which jump quite well at least in the smaller sizes. I read about that for the SST in a German forum and I am personally pleasantly surprised by my Naish Slash which does exactly that.

Other thing thats interesting is the board sizes, Lewis going for a 132 and sam going for 140+

Yea, I'm not surprised to see Lewis using the Rebel. Not the best kite for mega loops but it does a lot of stuff really well and with the right technique (and wind) its possible. What would surprise me would be if Kevin uses as a Pivot. That kite is (to me) has a much different feel than the Torch and it just seems like you would have to change your technique a bit since the timing, lift, and such will be different. Who knows...it will definitely be interesting.